Management of Bottomland Hardwood Forests in South Carolina for Wildlife Using Green Tree Reservoirs

Forestry Leaflet 34 Management of Bottomland Hardwood Forests in South Carolina for Wildlife Using Green Tree Reservoirs Prepared by William H. Conner, Professor of Forestry, Clemson University and Robert Franklin, Extension Forester, Clemson University Introduction Bottomland hardwood forests occupy the floodplains of many large and small rivers of the southeastern United States. These forests are productive systems and contain a variety of wildlife habitats. Many of these areas have been leveed and are flooded to make food, such as acorns and benthic organisms, available to waterfowl. The forested areas within the levees are called greentree reservoirs (GTRs). Flooding normally occurs during the winter dormant season and drainage when foliage begins to develop. Greentree management originally developed in Arkansas during the 1930s to create more dependable waterfowl habitat in the fall. The majority of the sites were developed for hunting and used to attract waterfowl before natural flooding occurred. In areas where extensive drainage or conversion of forests to agricultural fields had occurred, GTRs often provide the only habitat consistently available for migrating and wintering waterfowl. By the 1950s GTRs were found in Arkansas and other states as refuges and public hunting grounds. Greentree reservoirs were common through the lower Mississippi and Atlantic flyways by 1963. While still used chiefly in the southern states, they can be found as far north as Illinois and Maryland. Greentree reservoir flooding differs from natural flooding regimes (Figure 1). These forests are generally flooded earlier and at depths greater than normally occur. These changes in flooding patterns impact the structure and function of bottomland forests, causing changes in the flora and fauna that are adapted to normal seasonal and long-term fluctuating water regimes. Figure 1. Comparison of water depth between a naturally flooded southern forest and a GTR Early studies in GTRs indicated that (source: Fredrickson and Batema 1993). water management was not harmful to bottomland trees, but more recent studies indicate that shifts in species composition from less flood tolerant to more flood tolerant species may occur. Changes in species composition are generally subtle and slow. Long-term tree declines in growth generally occur as a result of modifications in flooding regime. Early and prolonged flooding to greater depths during the dormant season and flooding into the growing season cause changes to the stand, including reduced regeneration, decreased acorn production, and tree mortality and disease. To maintain tree growth and vigor in GTRs and provide hunting opportunities requires that natural water regimes be mimicked. In recent years, the body of knowledge on these bottomland systems has increased, but much of it is scattered and in forms not readily available for the general public. Thus, the purpose of this brochure is to provide a synopsis of current information for landowners and managers interested in this management technique. Wildlife Use Waterfowl use is a primary reason for establishing a GTR. In the Atlantic Flyway, mallards, wood ducks, and black ducks are the major waterfowl species that are attracted to GTRs, with wood ducks being the primary reservoir users at the southern end of the flyway. Ducks are attracted to GTRs for mast, cover, or both. In natural areas, food may be of primary importance, while in heavily farmed areas with alternate food sources such as soybeans or grains, resting areas are of more importance. Drawdowns attract a diversity of foraging birds by concentrating foods in smaller areas and at water depths within the foraging range of target wildlife. A general pattern commonly associated with drawdowns is an initial use by species adapted to exploiting resources in deeper water. As dewatering continues, these “deep water” species are gradually replaced by those adapted to exploit foods in shallower water (Figure 2). Figure 2. Preferred water depths for wetland birds commonly associated with moist-soil habitats (source: Fredrickson 1991). In addition to waterfowl, many species of mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians occur in GTRs. In gradually flooded or shallow reservoirs where some dry ground remains, mast is accessible to wild turkey, northern bobwhite, eastern gray squirrel, and fox squirrel. Raccoon, mink, muskrat, and beaver are also commonly found in greentree impoundments. Deciding on a GTR The decision to create a GTR should never be taken lightly. Site selection, design, management, personnel, and operational budget all need to be considered to eliminate financial and ecological mistakes. An evaluation of site hydrology is critical in determining site suitability. Drainage patterns need to be understood before the GTR is constructed in order to prevent poor decisions on site selection and design that can lead to irreversible impacts to the forest. In bottomland forests where hydrology has already been altered due to drainage ditches, channelization, dams, or levees, GTR management cold provide benefits to numerous plant and animal species. Sites that normally flood on a frequent basis already provide foraging opportunities to waterfowl. Additional flooding on these sites could increase tree mortality and degrade waterfowl habitat. Thus, if a site already provides the functions and values that GTRs are supposed to provide, then protect the site from development and changes in hydrology. Sites suitable for GTR establishment are generally flat or have less than 1% slope. Soils should have a low permeability to inhibit subsurface drainage. Soils that are predominantly clay are ideal. A dependable and adequate water supply is also necessary for proper management. Rainfall, storage reservoirs, streams, rivers, lakes, and wells all represent potential sources of water. Rainfall is the most economical means of flooding a GTR, but is the least dependable because rainfall is so variable from year to year. An advantage of using rainfall is that it results in a more natural flooding pattern. Storage reservoirs from which water can be released through gravity flow also is a cost effective manner of flooding GTRs. Streams, rivers, and lakes represent a dependable source of water, but the costs of water control structures, pumps, and/or diversion ditches are high. Vegetation for the potential impoundment site should be evaluated to ensure that the tree community capable of meeting the objectives of the landowner (Table 1). If the objective is to enhance waterfowl habitat by providing foraging opportunities, then the impoundment should have a strong component of oaks. If the objective is to restore functions typical of natural bottomland forests, then other species can be considered. The timing, depth, and duration of flooding are important variables to be considered. If the site contains many species that are intolerant of flooding, the site should never be considered for a GTR. Design, Development, and Construction The most effective management is possible on GTRs of 100 to 500 acres in size. Units of greater than 500 acres are difficult to manage and have greater potential for compromising the productivity of forests. In general, most GTRs are 20-100 acres in size. Some small impoundments of 1-2 acres can provide adequate resources for breeding wood ducks. Smaller units provide more options and are more easily managed than single larger units. With multiple units, one can vary the timing and depth of flooding, vary the timing of drawdown, or allow some units to remain dry while others are flooded to promote regeneration of desirable tree species. The height and width of levees depends on topography, depth of flooding, and size of the impoundment. In most cases a levee height of 2-3 feet is sufficient. Usually the maximum height of the levee should be 12-18 inches above maximum water depth. Levees should be large enough (crown width of 10 feet) to accommodate maintenance equipment and have side slopes at least 3:1; although 4:1 or 5:1 is better (Figure 3). Figure 3. Cross-section of an impoundment levee with a 3:1 slope (source: Mitchell and Newling 1986). Borrow areas can be either inside or outside of the GTR, but where hunting is a major objective, location may influence hunter access. Where the primary purpose is a refuge, excavation from inside the GTR provides some deep water habitat for diving waterfowl and other wildlife. A water control structure such as a flashboard riser is used to hold water in the fall and winter, and the boards are removed to drain the area during the spring and summer. Types of water control structures are illustrated in Figure 4. The impoundment should be flooded only after the leaves on the trees have changed Figure 4. Screw-gate (top left), drop-log (top right) and flash-board riser water control structures (source: Ortego et al., Texas Parks and color in the fall, which Wildlife). normally happens about late October or November. Once the leaves change color, the trees have gone dormant for the winter, and they will not be damaged by flooding. The impoundment should be flooded to a depth of no more than 18 inches. The primary food source in a greentree reservoir is acorns, and the waterfowl that benefit the most include mallards, wood ducks, and black ducks. The local NRCS office can offer engineering assistance. In the spring, drain the impoundment when the buds on the trees begin to swell, which normally happens in late February or early March. If the impoundment remains flooded too long in the spring, the trees could be killed. Flooding a greentree reservoir every year will slowly weaken the trees, and some eventually will die. Flooding the impoundment every other year is one way to extend the life of the trees. Another option is to flood the impoundment for three years in a row, and then let it remain dry for two years in a row. This rotation will allow use of the impoundment 3 out of every 5 years.

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